Recap | Rapids Academy players lead the way with three points against Houston Dynamo 2

Colorado Rapids 2 (5-11-3, 19 pts.) defeated Houston Dynamo 2 (6-8-5, 24 pts.) 2-1 at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium on Saturday night. Rapids Academy players Rogelio Garcia and Colton Swan were the difference makers that night, scoring their first professional goals in a three-point game.

The first half of the match started slowly, with the two teams remaining at 0-0 at halftime.

After a few changes early in the second half, Rogelio Garcia found his rhythm in the 63rd minute after combining with Robinson Aguirre and Marlon Vargas in midfield for a give-and-go in the box. Garcia took one touch and fired a shot to the far post for the team’s first goal.

Vargas’ assist marked his 14th all-time assist for Rapids 2, setting a record for most assists in team history.

The second half continued and in the 78th minute, Colorado was awarded a free kick from 35 yards out. Midfielder Aguirre stepped up to the serve and placed the ball perfectly on the back post to Swan’s head. The forward’s header sailed past the keeper’s hands and into the back of the net for the team’s winning goal.

Houston finished the night with a goal in the 82nd minute, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Rapids from earning their second straight home win.

Rapids 2 will hit the road on Wednesday, August 7 to take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM MT at Swangard Stadium.

**See highlights and match summary >>**

• Rapids Academy player Rogelio Garcia and Rapids Academy player Colton Swan scored their first professional goals in tonight’s match against Houston Dynamo 2.
• M Marlon Vargas passed Yosuke Hanya for the most assists (14) by a Rapids 2 player in tonight’s match against Houston Dynamo 2.
• Mr. Robinson Aguirre recorded his second assist of the season, a free kick on the winning goal.
• Colorado Rapids 2 scored their second free kick goal of the season in tonight’s game. The goal marked Rapids 2’s first free kick goal of 2024.
• Colorado Rapids 2 won back-to-back home games for the first time this season.
• M Robinson Aguirre made his 54th appearance for Rapids 2 in tonight’s game, surpassing Daouda Amadou for the most appearances in team history.
• M Marlon Vargas recorded his 45th appearance and 41st start for Rapids 2, tying Blake Malone for the fifth-most appearances in team history and tying Daouda Amadou for the second-most starts.

Post-match media availability:

Marlon Vargas, captain of the Colorado Rapids 2

Select the transcribed post-match quotes below.

ERIK BUSHEY, HEAD COACH OF THE COLORADO RAPIDS 2 TEAM

“Yes, good game, good performance. Of course, the three points were difficult to get this year, but tonight it was more than three points, it was about performance. We had the contribution of the three branches of the technical arm of our club, the first team, the second team and the academy. I am really proud of that. We scored some great goals and I am sorry to have conceded one, but it is also good to finish the game with a bit of pressure, provided you finish it well. They made us work from the first to the 96th minute, so it was very pleasing.”

On winning two consecutive home games:

“It’s important. The break between the two games, the last game seems like a distant memory, to be honest. The performance in Minnesota has taken on a bigger significance. Maybe looking back on it, it’s really important and guys should feel that way, it’s tough to come to Colorado and if we put in a good performance, we should be favored to win. To me, it’s all about the last performance and this one was very positive. I guess it’s good and bad. We don’t have a lot of time to think about it, we’ve got a game coming up. For what it was tonight, it was good. The fans we had were loud and honestly, I think it had an impact, especially the four guys that were on one end. If you’re listening to us, please come back because it was wonderful.”

COLORADO RAPIDS 2 CAPTAIN MARLON VARGAS

“First of all, I’m really happy with how our team performed. It’s been a tough season so far. After our performance in Minnesota, the way we bounced back and responded against a good Houston team that was on a roll away and at home, getting the three points at home is huge. We just have to keep that momentum going against our next opponent, which is Vancouver.”

On the impact of the Academy players in tonight’s game:

“I’m happy for them. I remember when I was their age, I went through the same thing. There were older players that I looked up to on the team and it’s just a happy moment, especially because, I’ll be honest, I’m really hard on Academy players, especially Rogelio (Garcia). I expect a lot from him because in preseason, he was probably one of the best Academy players that we had and he got injured and I felt like he lost a little bit of confidence with that. He wanted to be with us in Florida and then he had time to recover, rehab, and he’s come a long way. It’s like a big brother moment. I’m just really happy for him, same with Colton (Swan). Another guy that’s been with us since the very beginning and I’m just happy for him. He came in and made an impact and that’s what we need, especially in tough games like this. We need players who come off the bench and play their role and help the team and bring energy off the bench when most of us are already tired. I also congratulate the Academy. They’ve prepared a lot of these guys to be ready for us. Again, there are a lot of moments in training where I’m very hard on them because I expect a lot from them as a captain. I think they have the potential and I could teach them to have more experience in terms of training, how they go about it, off the pitch as well, being a role model. It’s not just me, but also other guys in the dressing room. I’m just very happy for them and I want them to continue playing that way, it makes it a lot easier for me. Obviously, it’s the same for my team. Without them, we wouldn’t win the game, to be honest. I’m very happy for them and delighted that they helped us get the three points.